Iran on Saturday freed two German journalists arrested four months ago after they interviewed the son of an Iranian woman condemned to death by stoning for adultery.
An Iranian court on Saturday threw out their 20-month prison sentence, commuting it to a fine of $50,000 each and clearing the way for their release.
The Germans – a reporter and a photographer for the mass-circulation tabloid Bild am Sonntag – got caught up in one of the many confrontations between Iran and the West, this one over the case of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani. The mother of two has been convicted of adultery and sentenced to death by stoning, generating widespread international outrage.
Marcus Hellwig and Jens Koch were detained in October after interviewing Ms. Ashtiani's son in the northwestern city of Tabriz. Throughout their detention, Iranian officials accused them of a range of serious crimes from spying to having links to groups of Iranian exiles.
Ultimately, they were found guilty of committing acts against Iran's national security. State media reports on Saturday did not elaborate on the details of their alleged offences.
Officials have also claimed they admitted to violating Iranian laws barring those entering the country on tourist visas from working as journalists.
In Saturday's ruling, a court in Tabriz said the Germans “deserved to have their punishment commuted and enjoy Islamic mercy.”
Hours later in Berlin, Germany's Foreign Ministry said the two had been released and were in the care of German consular officials in Tabriz.
“We hope to get them to the embassy in Tehran today,” said a ministry spokesman, who declined to be identified by name in line with policy.
A spokeswoman for the journalists' employer, Bild am Sonntag, confirmed their release. “They are free,” she said. She spoke on condition of anonymity pending an official company statement.
Source: The Globe and Mail
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